City Council - Special Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Special Meeting Minutes November 9, 2020, 10:00 AM Mayor Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members Hannah Stone, Gene Knutson, Daniel Hammill, www.cob.org/council Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist and All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at Hollie Huthman 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Call to Order Roll Call Committee of the Whole Gene Knutson, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Hollie Huthman 22775 1. 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Work Session Council Member Vargas, introduced the budget session and the Mayor. The Mayor gave a summary of the 2019 - 2020 department achievements, which included a successful transition of administrations, welcomed new staff, COVID-19 response for the City and region, continuity of city essential services, financial stability, helped establish and lead unified response, created focus on climate action planning, initiated new efforts related to race and justice, implemented the Small and Simple grant program, and conducted a 2020 residential survey. He outlined the 2021 - 2022 budget proposals and changes. He shared the 2021 - 2022 work plan, that continues to lead and support citywide functions, including emerging from COVID-19 with financial stability and be positioned for a strong future, increasing support for behavioral health response, addressing social justice issues through various initiatives, increasing actions on climate change, expanding and improving parks, trails, and open spaces, continuing investments in key infrastructure, iniatives to address home affordability and homelessness, legislative advocacy, communications and public involvement. The Mayor's office will initiate a search for a full-time Human Resources Director in the comming year. Council President Knutson thanked Council Members and the staff during this challenging year. He compared the current budget and the new budget. City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 1 November 9, 2020  David Doll, Police Chief, outlined the Behavioral Health Crisis Response System Expansion, and outlined the work plan. Anne Deacon, Human Services Manager with Whatcom County Health Department, detailed the planning and design of the expansion plan. Council Members asked questions. Council Members proposed amendments or additions to the budget. Council Member Lilliquist, proposed two items: Council Member Lilliquist requested that the Adminstration draft a motion and come back with a proper budget format that outlines the need to earmark one million dollars in the biennial budget for homeless services using the REET funding. Council Member Vargas added that we could use CDBG funds as well as REET funds. She asked about the Planning department's work process and if they have time to add this. Council Member Lilliquist outlined a request to expand hours for the Homelesss Outreach Team. Currently they work during office hours even though crisis response often requires assistance after hours. He requested that the budget be increased by a half million dollars to fund additional hours. 22803 2. Summary of Technical and Other Budget Adjustments Requested by the Administration Prior to Budget Adoption Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, explained the additional budget adjustments. They include translation & interpretation services, Little Squalicum Estuary project, increase full-time employee authority for two positions, that include a Development Specialist 2 in the Planning Department and a Librarian 1 in the Library (FLSA), decrease BTV full time employee to align with the actual position which is a 0.8 position, decrease estimated franchise fees in the Public Education and Government access, and change qualified energy conservation bond interfund service charges to interfund transfer. Due to an accounting requirement, the interlocal charges must be recorded as transfers, and eliminate all appropriations expenditures and transfers related to the Drake Note Fund. Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved to adopt budget adoption changes. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 November 9, 2020 Adjournment Council Member Vargas explained that the property tax ordinance will be introduced at tonight's meeting, as well as the first hearing on the 2021 - 2022 biennial budget. On November 23rd, the Council will adopt the property tax ordinance and a second public hearing on the budget will be held. On December 7th, the Council will introduce the budget ordinance and December 14, they will adopt the ordinance. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:53 a.m. City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 3 November 9, 2020